Electric switch



July 31, 1934. JONAS 1,968,647

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 12, 1932 terminates in a vertical wall 13.

Patented July 31, 1934 PAT NT orsics 1,968,647 ELECTRIC SWITCH Hans Jonas, Dortmund, Germany Application April 12,1932, Serial Nobeomo In Germany April 15, 1931 12 Claims." (01. 200-43 My invention relates to electric switches adapted for use in electric circuitsfor protecting them against unauthorized use. a

In lighting plants, electric motors, door-locks and other devices and especially in motor cars the unauthorized use is prevented by electric circuits putting optical or acoustical signals into opera.- tion, if they are closedor interrupted by unauthorized persons. i The object of myinvention is to render a signal operative upon alteration of'a normal electric circuit. i To these ends my invention consists in an apparatus constructed and operating as hereinafter fullydescribed and particularly pointed out :in

the claims. 1 r

Referring to the drawing in which like letters designate like parts in the several views,Figure '1 is a cross section of the electric switch,.the movable rings separated from the body, Figure 2 is an elevation of the inner face of oneof the movable rings, forming the upper parts of the switch, Fig. ure 3is a cross sectionof the ring shown inFigure 2, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the switch, and Figure 5 is a. wiring diagram. 1 i

In the drawing wherein a selected embodiment of my inventionis illustrated, n indicates a stepped pyramidal stationary element or body made of insulating material. This element includes a base 9 and a vertical wall 10 extends upwardly from this base 9 and isspaced from the periphery thereof thereby providing a peripheral flange 11. At the upper end of the wall 10 is an inwardly extending horizontal wall .12 which An inwardly projecting horizontal wall 14 extends inwardly from the upper end of the wall 13 and terminates in'avertically extending wall15. A top 16 at the upper end of the wall encloses the area bounded by said wall. The outer surface of the bodyis therefore stepped and provides surfaces on which ring-shaped contactors are rotatably mounted. One of the ring-shaped contactors 1'7 includes a vertical wall 18 and a horizontal wall 19. The lower end ofthe'vertical wall 18 is adapted .to rest onthe top of the flange 11 and the inner surface of this wall is adapted to ride over the outer surface of .the vertical wall 10. The bottom surface of the horizontal wall 19 is adapted to rest on the top surface of the wall 12. The inner part of the top surface of the wall 19 is recessed at 20 to receive the lower end of the vertical wall1 21- of the contactor 22. The inner surfaceof the wall 21 is adapted to ride on the outer surfaceofthe wall 13. The contactor 22 includes a horizontal wall 23 which is adapted to ride on the top surface of the wall 14. The inner partof the top surfaceof the wall 23 is'recessed as at 24 toreceive the lower. end of the vertical wall 25 of the contactor 26 and the inner surface of this wall 25 rides on the outer 6 surface ofthe wall 15. The contactor 26 includes a horizontal wall'27 which rests on the top 16. The contactors 17, 22 and 26 are L-sha'ped in'cross section and, asdescribed, they rest on the steps of the steppedpyramidal element 22 to be rotatable thereonand by disposing thelower ends of the walls 21 and 25 raspectively in the recesses 20 and 24, these rings are interclocked. 2

An axle or' pivotlc projects throughmedially located-openings in the top plate2'7 and the top 7.0 16 and through 'a similarly located opening in thebase 9* aridthe lower end isscrew-threaded so that the head of the pivot lcrnay be urged into tight engagement with the top 2'7, and since the contactors are-interlocked" and are interengaged with the steps on the pyramidallelement 11 these partsare interlocked together. The OOH: tact0rs,which as a whole are indicated by r,- are equipped with contact strips t and t. The contac'tstrips t 'aie'respectively. mounted on the lower surfaces of the horizontal walls 19, 23 and 2'7 injuxtaposition to the vertical walls of the respectivecontactors '1'; The contact strips t are respectively mounted on the inner surfaces of the vertical walls 18, 21 and 25 ofthe contactors r.

The contact strips t are adapted to respectively cooperate with pairs of contacts s to close the circuit between the contacts of each pair wheri'moved into bridging relation therewith, and these pairs of contacts are respectively mounted in the horizontal Walls 12, 14 and 16 adjacent the vertical walls extendingupwardly thereinto. Thecontactstrips t are respectively adapted to' cooperate with pairs of contacts s to close the circuit between the contacts of each 'pairas the strips t move into bridging relation with" the respective pairs of contacts s. Preferably, the pairs of contacts 8 are arranged in alignment with each other as are the pairs of contacts .9 and'in the illustrated embodiment .100 of 'the invention the respective pairs of contacts s are mounted in the element 12 in diametrical relation with the pairs of'conta'cts s. T As 'shown best in Fig. 2, the contact strips t are of a length slightly less than the. length of the inner periphery of the contactor, on which they are mounted, the ends being spaced apart. The contact strips 1;, are relatively short and are mounted in thecontactors r'in diametrical op position to. the spacesbetween the ends of the contact strips t and the contactors t are of a length equal to the spaces between the ends of the contact strips t and consequently the ends of the contacts t on each contactor are aligned with the ends of the contact t on that contactor.

The relative situation of the pins s and the pins 8 can be chosen at will but then, of course, the metal strips t and i must be placed accordingly. The upper outer surfaces of the rings 1' are provided with letters or figures as shown in Figure 4.

The switch controls two electric circuits one of which includes the optical or acoustical signal and the other of which is the normal or main circuit. The device is arranged so that, when a certain predetermined combination of numbers on the three rings 1' are arranged in alignment with a predetermined position, the normal circuit is closed for at this time the three strips it close the circuit between the respective pairs of pins 8, which are connected in series, and, when the parts are so arranged in an electric circuit, such as that shown in Figure 5, circuit is closed from the battery 1 through conductor 2, conductor 3, the ignition coil 4-. of an automotive engine or other device in the normal circuit to be controlled by the contacts s and strips t. From coil 4 current flows through conductor a to the pairs of contacts s and when circuitv therebetween is closed by the strips 13, current flows to the conductor b and thence through conductor 5 to ground. One terminal of the battery 1 is ground ed as indicated at 6.

So long as the three rings are arranged with the predetermined numbers in alignment, the foregoing circuit is closed. However, when one of the rings 1' is moved sufliciently to disengage the strip 15 thereon from the pair of pins s cooperating therewith, the strip t on this ring closes the circuit between the pair of pins s cooperating therewith. Since the pairs of pins s are connected in series, disengagement of a strip t from any pair of contacts s opens the circuit. The pairs of pins 3 are connected in parallel and hence if only one of the rings 1 is moved, the circuit will be closed and likewise if two or more rings are moved the circuit will be closed.

The circuit, including the pins s has additional switches therein which may be, for example, located at suitable places in an automotive vehicle such as in the door, or in connection with the brake, or in connection with the hood, or at other suitable places on the vehicle. Such switches are indicated by i and if, for example, one of these switches is located in the door, it will be arranged to be open so long as the door remains closed. However, when the door is opened, the switch 2' associated therewith is closed and if the circuit is at this time closed between a pair of pins 3 by a strip t, the signal 9 which may be, for example, the horn of the automobile, is rendered operative. The switches i like the pairs of pins s are connected in parallel.

When one of the switches i is closed and the circuit between a pair of pins s is closed, the signal 9 is rendered operative, current flowing from the battery 1 through conductor 2, conductor 7, signal 9, conductor 8, one or more of the switches 2', conductor 0, one or more of the pairs of pins s connected by the respective strips t, conductor b, through'conductor 5 to ground.

The switch may be used in connection with the lighting plant and, when this is done, the pairs of pins s and the metal strips tcooperating therewith control the electric circuitto the lamps or other devices operated by the plant. Under these conditions, the pairs of pins s and the metal strips t control the circuit to a suitable signal. When the circuit to the lamps is interrupted, the circuit to the signal is closed when the switch is used under such conditions.

It is to be understood that the switches i might be eliminated so that the signal would be rendered operative as soon as the circuit through the respective pairs of pins s is interrupted.

It will be obvious that my device may be used indifferent ways without departing from the spirit of my invention. The number of rings, the metal pieces in the rings, the shape and form of the contact pins, all these may be changed in any desired manner according to the use for which my switch is wanted. Of course, the switch can be arranged for more than two circuits if desired, and I do not intend to be limited to the exact details shown.

, What I claim is:

1. In a switch of the class described, a stepped body, a pair of contacts projecting from a horizontal surface of the stepped body, another pair of contacts projecting from a vertical surface of the stepped body and. spaced from the first pair of contacts, a rotatable member mounted on said body and' including a horizontal part and a vertical part adapted to respectively cooperate-with the horizontal and vertical surfaces of. the stepped body, a contact strip on the horizontal part of said rotatable member and adapted to cooperate with the pair of contacts projecting from the horizontal surface of said body, an-

other contact strip mounted on the vertical part f of said rotatable member and adapted to cooperate with the pair of contacts projecting from the vertical. surface of said body, the adjacent ends. of said contact strips being in substantial alignmentone with the other to provide a con- 1" tinuous contact on said rotatable member whereby one of said contact strips disengages the pair of contacts cooperating therewith upon rotation of said rotatable member relative to said body as the other of the contact-strips engages the pair of contacts cooperating therewith.

- 2. In a switch of the class described, a stepped body, independent pairs of contacts projecting fromthe horizontal surfaces of the stepped body, other independent pairs of contacts projecting from the vertical surfaces of the stepped body and spaced from the first pairs of contacts, independently rotatable members of substantially L-shaped cross section and respectively mounted on the steps of said body, means securing said rotatable members on said stepped body for independent rotation thereon, contact strips in said rotatable members and adapted to respectively, cooperate with said pairs of contacts, the

adjacent ends of the contact strips in each of said members being in substantial alignment one with the other to provide a continuous contact on each of said rotatable members whereby one of said contact strips disengages the pair of contacts cooperating therewith upon rotation of the rotatable member in which it is mounted relative to said body as the other of the contact strips in said rotatable member engages the pair of contacts cooperating therewith.

3. In a switch of the class described, a stepped body, independent pairs ofcontacts projecting from the horizontal surfaces of the stepped body, other independent .pairs of contacts projecting from the.vertical surfaces of the stepped body and spaced from thefirst pair of contacts, inde- (iii pendcntly rotatable members mounted onlthe' steps of said body, contact strips'in said rotatable. members and adapted to respectively cooperate with said pairs of contacts, the adjacent ends of the contactstrips in each'of said members being in substantial alignment one with the other whereby 'oneiof: said contact strips disengages the pair of contactscooperating therewith upon rotation of the rotatable member in which it is mounted relative to said body as the other of the contact strips in said rotatable member engages the pair of'contacts cooperating therewith, each of said' rotatable members having identifying indicia thereon positioned relative to the contactstrips therein whereby the alignment of predetermined of the indicia on said rotatable members locates the contact strips on said rotatable members in predetermined positions relative to said pairs of -contacts,-each of said-rotatable members being substantially L-shaped in cross section and including horizontal and vertical parts respectively cooperating with the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the stepped body, said rotatable members includinginterengaging parts, and means securing said rotatable members on said stepped body for independent rotation thereon. r

4. In a switch of the class described, a stepped body, independent pairs of contacts projecting from the horizontal surfaces of the steppedbody, other independent pairs of contacts projecting from thevertical surfaces of the stepped body and spaced from the first pair of contacts, means connecting the pairs of contacts projecting from 1 one set of corresponding surfaoesfon the stepped body in series in an electric circuit, other means connecting the pairs of contacts projecting from the other of the sets of corresponding surfaces on the stepped body in parallel in an electric 3 circuit, independently rotatable members mounted on the steps of said body, contact strips in said rotatable members and adapted to respectively cooperate with said pairs of contacts, the adjacent ends of the contact strips in each of said members being in substantial alignment one with the other whereby when one of the contact strips cooperating with a pair of contacts of the pairs of contacts connected in series disengages the pair of contacts cooperating therewith upon rotation of the rotatable member in which said contact strip is mounted the circuit through the pairs of contacts connected in series will be opened as the other of the contact strips mounted in said rotatable member engages the pair of contacts cooperating therewith and closes circuit therebetween to close the circuit including the contacts connected in parallel, each of said rotatable members being substantially L-shaped in cross section and including horizontal and vertical parts respectively cooperating with the horizontal-and vertical surfaces of the stepped body, said rotatable members in cluding interengaging parts, and means securing said rotatable members on said stepped body for independent rotation thereon.

5. In a switch of the classdescribed, a cylindrical pyramidal stepped body, ring contactors respectively mounted on the steps of said body,

I each of said ring contactors and the step of the body with which itcooperates having circuit controlling means, and means for securing said ring contactors on said body for rotation thereabout independently of each other whereby said ring "contactors may be moved relative to said body to determine the operation of ltherespective 'circuit controlling means. I

6. In a switch of the class described, a cylindrical pyramidal stepped body, ring contactors respectively mounted on the steps of said body and successively engaged with each other, each of said ring contactors and the step of the body with which it. cooperates having circuit controlling means, and means for securing said ring contactors on said body and in said engagement with each other to permit rotation of said ring contactors independently of each other whereby said ring contactors may be moved relative to said body to determine the operation of the respective circuit controlling means.

'7. In a switch of the class described, a cylindrical pyramidal stepped body, ring contactors respectively mounted on the steps of said body, each of said ring contactors and the step of the body with which it cooperates having circuit controlling means, means connecting the respective circuit controlling means in series, and means for securing said ring contactors on said body for rotation thereabout independently of each other whereby rotation of any one of said contactors may aiiect the electric circuit in which said circuit controlling means are connected.

. 8. In a switch of the class described, a cylindrical pyramidal stepped body, ring contactors respectivelymounted on the steps of saidbody, each of said ring contactors and the step of said body with which it cooperates having independent circuit controlling means, and means for securing said ring contactors on said body for rotation thereabout independently of each other, the circuit controlling means associated with each of said contactors and the step with which it cooperates being positioned relative to'each other so that circuit is closed through one of said circuit controlling means and opened through the other of said circuit controlling means when said ring contactors are respectively moved relative to said body.

9. In a switch of the class described, a cylindrical pyramidal stepped body, ring contactors respectively mounted on the steps of said body, each of said ring contactors and the step of said body with which it cooperates having independent circuit controlling means, means connecting corresponding of the respective circuit controlling means in series in an electric circuit, means connecting the other of the respective circuit controlling means in parallel in an electric circuit, and means for securing said ring contactors on said body for rotation thereabout independently of each other, the respective contact means on each of said ring contactors being positioned relative to each other so that rotation of any one of said ring contactors will open or close the circuit through the contactors connected in series 1 and at the same time oppositely affect the circuit in which the cooperating contact means is included.

10. In a switch of the class described, a cylindrical pyramidal stepped body, a ring contactor including vertically and horizontally extending parts respectively engaged with the vertically and horizontally extending parts of the lowermost step of said body, another ring contactor inc1uding vertically and horizontally extending parts on the horizontally extending part of the ring "F contactor on the lowermost step of .said body, and means cooperating with the upper of said ring contactors to retain saidring contactors on said body to permit rotation of said ring'con tactors relative to said body, each of saidring contactors and the step of the body with. which it is engaged including circuit controlling means adapted to be operated by rotation of said ring contactor relative to. said body.

11. In a switch of the class described, a cylindrical pyramidal stepped body, a ring contactor including vertically and horizon tally extending parts respectively engaged with the vertically and horizontally extending parts of the lowermost step of said body, another ring contactor including vertically and horizontally extending parts and having said parts respectively engaged with the vertically and horizontally extending parts of the next adjacent step of said body and having the lower 'end of the vertical part thereof rested on the horizontally extending part of the ring contactor on the lowermost step of said body, means cooperating with the upper of said ring contactors to retain said ring contactors on said body to permit rotation of said ring contactors relative to said body, a contact strip on each of said ring contactors; and a pair of contacts on each of the steps of said body and engageable with the contact'strip on the ring contactor cooperating with the respective step whereby rotation of said ring contactor relative to said body regulates circuit flow through the contacts.

12. In a switch of the class described, a cylindrical pyramidal stepped body, a ring contactor including vertically and horizontally extending parts respectively engaged with the vertically and horizontally extending parts of the lowermost step of said body, another ring contactor including vertically and horizontally extending parts and having said parts respectively engaged with the Vertically and horizontally extending parts of the next adjacent step of said body and having the lower end of the vertical part thereof restedon the horizontally extending part of the ring contactor on the lowermost step of said body, and means cooperating with the upper of said ring contactors to retain said ring contactors on said body to permit rotation of said ring contactors relative to said body, each of said ring contactors having a pair of contact strips thereon electrically separated from each other by providing a continuous contact surface, each of said steps having independent contact means thereon respectively adapted for cooperation with the contact strips on the ring contactor cooperating with the respective step whereby rotation of each of said ring contactors may disengage one of the contact strips thereon from the contacts cooperating therewith and simultaneously engage the other of the contact strips thereon with the contacts cooperating therewith.

HANS JONAS. 

